Emotiva UMC-1 + UPA-7 vs. $1400 receiver

[painted_klown]

The title says it all gang. I have been doing a LOT of reading, asking silly questions, deciding on something then reading another review and changing my mind...

Anyway I had (kind of) settled on getting a Pioneer Elite SC-07 receiver when tax time rolls around. I was thinking it would be ridiculous sounding and possibly the next best thing to buying seperates. However after reading this review http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/r.../pioneer-sc-07 I began to re-think my options.

If I am going to spend roughly $1400 on the Pioneer then what do other receivers have to offer at this price point? Could the offerings from Denon, Marantz, Sony, Yamaha, ect. best the Pioneer?

Then I kept reading great things about Emotiva and their products. I have read what seems like endless reviews of Emotiva products and ALL of them highly recommended the piece of gear in question with no hesitation. One especially positive review was for their flagship XPA-1 mono amp. The reviewer had reviewed an older Emotiva amp and was so impressed he switched his personal amp to the Emotiva amp. Then he got his hands on the XPA-1 and once again swicthed his main listening amp setup!!!

This review can be seen here http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/power...er-review.html

From my understanding of these components I can get a UMC-1 pre/pro and connect it via "rca" cables to the UPA-7 amplifier and I have essentially pieced together a "reciever". This would allow me to use the HDMI outs for audio and video without sacrificing quality in the audio department department.

So...I guess this all boils down to the question of weather or not receivers at this price point can beat the two Emotiva components partnered up. Any thoughts, opinions, ideas, suggestions, ect..are welcome.

[tootall82103]

If you go with the UMC-1 and the UPA-7 you will still have the UPA-7 when it's time to upgrade the UMC-1 for something newer. Power never gets outdated, unless you just want more.

[painted_klown]

Originally Posted by tootall82103

If you go with the UMC-1 and the UPA-7 you will still have the UPA-7 when it's time to upgrade the UMC-1 for something newer. Power never gets outdated, unless you just want more.

That's what I am thinking as well. It could very well be the last amp I ever buy...theoretically speaking of course

Well many have viewed but only one comment. Is this a bad idea and no one is telling me?

I figured there would be at least a few members here who have auditioned Emotiva products and receivers in this price range who could help me out with their findings and impressions regarding quality/sound.

I hate to be the guy that buys products based soley on reviews but I live in a (very) rural community in southern Iowa and I have no way of even really getting to see most of this gear in person, let alone having a proper audition of anything. I only have one friend who is into audio and he is an engineer and doesn't care about HT at all. He does use a NAD amp and B&W's to monitor/mix all of his recordings in a treated control room though.

Almost all of my purchases are either word of mouth/review based or just really good deals cost wise. I have been burned more than once having to go this route but such is life when you live in the styx.

[tootall82103]

I think you would be happy with EMO stuff. They are very popular on the forums it seems like, especially for the price/performance. They are located in TN. Only a bit south of ya. Make a trip!

[red_5ive]

I own Emo gear, and although I can rave about their gear all day, the best solution is to utilize their 30 day return policy and audition the gear with your setup. You will lose the cost of shipping if you don't like it, but an audition in your room really is the best way to determine what's right for you so I think it's worth it.

[solarrdadd]

Originally Posted by red_5ive

I own Emo gear, and although I can rave about their gear all day, the best solution is to utilize their 30 day return policy and audition the gear with your setup. You will lose the cost of shipping if you don't like it, but an audition in your room really is the best way to determine what's right for you so I think it's worth it.

I agree with Red, you may have to wait a little while though to get your hands on the UMC-1 but at this point rush not!

[painted_klown]

Originally Posted by solarrdadd

I agree with Red, you may have to wait a little while though to get your hands on the UMC-1 but at this point rush not!

Yeah, I noticed on their web site the UMC-1 is not shipping and is only open for pre-orders. Was there an issue with them or something. Also I have yet to find even one review for them.

I assumed that either A) They are just behind on the manufacturing due to a much greater demand than expected and prepared for, or B) There was an issue that needed to be resolved so the production was halted to make corrections.

Is anyone aware of why the delay?

[red_5ive]

Originally Posted by painted_klown

Yeah, I noticed on their web site the UMC-1 is not shipping and is only open for pre-orders. Was there an issue with them or something. Also I have yet to find even one review for them.

I assumed that either A) They are just behind on the manufacturing due to a much greater demand than expected and prepared for, or B) There was an issue that needed to be resolved so the production was halted to make corrections.

Is anyone aware of why the delay?

B is the answer. They wanted to make sure the UMC was rock solid and stable before going production. Nevertheless, still look for the reviews as you'll have some time before you can get your hands on one. Anyway, last I read yesterday on the Emo forums is the first batch should arrive between the 16th - 18th (I believe this was forum member info) and should be shipping to homes right away. Emo started contacting people on the first preorder list a couple of weeks ago (I'm still waiting for an email ). It shouldn't be too much longer before the reviews start popping up.

If you are seriously considering one, then get yourself on the preorder list NOW. There is no commitment to buy as you aren't asked for CC info until Emo is ready to process an order for you, and even at that point you can still decline. Otherwise, the longer you wait... well, the longer you wait.

[painted_klown]

Originally Posted by red_5ive

B is the answer. They wanted to make sure the UMC was rock solid and stable before going production. Nevertheless, still look for the reviews as you'll have some time before you can get your hands on one. Anyway, last I read yesterday on the Emo forums is the first batch should arrive between the 16th - 18th (I believe this was forum member info) and should be shipping to homes right away. Emo started contacting people on the first preorder list a couple of weeks ago (I'm still waiting for an email ). It shouldn't be too much longer before the reviews start popping up.

If you are seriously considering one, then get yourself on the preorder list NOW. There is no commitment to buy as you aren't asked for CC info until Emo is ready to process an order for you, and even at that point you can still decline. Otherwise, the longer you wait... well, the longer you wait.

Thank you very much for the info.

I am very interested in going the Emotiva route. Their products seem to be offering a lot of bang for a relatively small buck, especially when you consider audiophile product pricing. With their pricing and (from what I can gather) superior quality I am surprised more people would not just get seperates. It only makes sense, unless there are better receivers in this same price range.

That is actually why I created this thread. When I learned of Emotiva's stellar reputation for quality and service, coupled with prices that are LESS than most "flagship" or higher end receivers then why not? I was concerned I may be missing something or severely over estimating what these products are capable of. I am hoping that everything I have heard about them is true.

As for getting on the preorder list, I would love to do it but I will probably not be making a purchase until mid-March, unless I can curb my bd disc buying for the rest of December and all through January. I don't want to be the guy that is "holding up the line" for the next person who is eagerly awaiting their shipment with the money ready to go.

[SeanMF]

Originally Posted by tootall82103

I think you would be happy with EMO stuff. They are very popular on the forums it seems like, especially for the price/performance. They are located in TN. Only a bit south of ya. Make a trip!

That is a long drive from Iowa. I considered it myself for the Emofest. I am on the list for the UPA-5 and probably will add an XPA-5 down the road. Didn't the UPA-5 come out yesterday? I had an XPA-3 but need at least a 5 channel amp that handles 4ohm. The make quality excellent products all around.

[red_5ive]

Originally Posted by painted_klown

As for getting on the preorder list, I would love to do it but I will probably not be making a purchase until mid-March, unless I can curb my bd disc buying for the rest of December and all through January. I don't want to be the guy that is "holding up the line" for the next person who is eagerly awaiting their shipment with the money ready to go.

Realistically I'd venture to guess that you're looking at late February or March anyway even if you get on the preorder list now, which is the point I was trying to make. If you don't get on the list now it will likely be longer. Also, the $699 price is introductory, and it has already been discussed early on that $699 is "first run" pricing. While I'm not sure if the pricing applies only to the first pre-order list, I wouldn't take a chance and get my name on the current list. You really won't be holding up anyone in line. If you're not ready to order when Emo contacts you, just let them know and they'll move to the next person in line.

And by the way, I've replaced a $3k AVR with Emo gear, and have another $3k AVR model that will shortly be replaced when I get the UMC since I have a spare LPA-1 (predecessor to the UMC-1) waiting to be used.

[red_5ive]

Originally Posted by SeanMF

That is a long drive from Iowa. I considered it myself for the Emofest. I am on the list for the UPA-5 and probably will add an XPA-5 down the road. Didn't the UPA-5 come out yesterday? I had an XPA-3 but need at least a 5 channel amp that handles 4ohm. The make quality excellent products all around.

I believe the UPA-5 started shipping on the 11th.

edit: Err, I take that back, they were shipping on the 11th for those who reserved them. But I checked on the 12th and the "Buy" option was there.

[SeanMF]

Originally Posted by red_5ive

I believe the UPA-5 started shipping on the 11th.

edit: Err, I take that back, they were shipping on the 11th for those who reserved them. But I checked on the 12th and the "Buy" option was there.

I was on the list. No one has notified me. I'll order it this week or next.

[painted_klown]

Originally Posted by red_5ive

Realistically I'd venture to guess that you're looking at late February or March anyway even if you get on the preorder list now, which is the point I was trying to make. If you don't get on the list now it will likely be longer. Also, the $699 price is introductory, and it has already been discussed early on that $699 is "first run" pricing. While I'm not sure if the pricing applies only to the first pre-order list, I wouldn't take a chance and get my name on the current list. You really won't be holding up anyone in line. If you're not ready to order when Emo contacts you, just let them know and they'll move to the next person in line.

And by the way, I've replaced a $3k AVR with Emo gear, and have another $3k AVR model that will shortly be replaced when I get the UMC since I have a spare LPA-1 (predecessor to the UMC-1) waiting to be used.

Thanks for the heads up on that red 5ive. Just went to the Emotiva sight and signed up for the pre-order. I will curb my spending until it is ready to ship. I am hoping to have enough scratch to go ahead and order the UPA-7 along with it. I have noticed that almost everyone here has went with the "X" series amps though. Are these amps far superior to the "U" series or it just because they are such larger amps?

[red_5ive]

Originally Posted by painted_klown

Thanks for the heads up on that red 5ive. Just went to the Emotiva sight and signed up for the pre-order. I will curb my spending until it is ready to ship. I am hoping to have enough scratch to go ahead and order the UPA-7 along with it. I have noticed that almost everyone here has went with the "X" series amps though. Are these amps far superior to the "U" series or it just because they are such larger amps?

No problem, pk.

I've owned 2 LPA-1s (which is basically the same design as the UPA-7), and have replaced them with an XPA-2 and XPA-5. Although Lonnie from Emotiva himself has said that the difference between the LPA-1 and XPA-5 is that they will sound the same but as you turn up the volume, the LPA will run out of steam whereas the XPA-5 will just continue to keep cranking.

That said, I personally feel the LPA-1 is on the warmer side. Not that the XPA is a bright sounding amp, which it isn't at all. IMO it has a more revealing midrange. Is it a night and day difference? Not really, but noticeable in my setup. If you want the power, go with the X series, but otherwise 125W on the UPA is a true 125W/ch all channels driven. AVRs won't make their advertised power all channels driven. If you don't bast your music or movies at ear-bleed levels, you'll be fine with the UPA.

[painted_klown]

I just joined the Emotiva lounge as well. I figured I would lurk around over there and get some hands on reviews from their members. I am actually really excited about getting an Emotiva setup. I have loved music since I was a young child and I realized one day that I am 32 years old and have never had a nice stereo. Like I said I was initially just going to buy a higher end receiver but with Emotiva in the picture, why not go "all out" I suppose.

My problem is when I start looking at their gear, the (more expensive) X series amps do get my attention but I don't want to get ahead of myself. I am coming from a VERY old Kenwood HTIB so I am sure that even the lower powered U series amp will be light years beyond anything I could imagine.

That and I need to upgrade ALL of my gear and still pay my bills. I just figured I may as well start with the audio portion first as that is what is currently lacking the most of my (very) modest HT setup. I want to try to get as much "bang for my buck" as possible when piecing this whole thing together. I figure as soon as I have the processor, then the amp, I will begin a quest for speakers. Then a sub. There is so much great gear out there it's difficult to narrow down the field.

[red_5ive]

Yikes, I neglected to ask you about speakers. Normally speakers should be your first choice, but coming from the HTIB you're gonna want to get the new gear & speakers together if possible IMO. Otherwise an HTIB driving better speakers or the pre-pro/amp driving HTIB speakers until you can replace one or the other probably wouldn't be ideal.

[painted_klown]

Yeah, I am still using the HTIB speakers that came with it, with one difference. I moved the "main" speakers to the rear to use as the surrounds and am currently using Alesis monitor ones as the mains. The specs for those are as follows:

Analog Inputs - 5-way binding posts
Dimensions - 8.5"W x15"H x10"D
Freq. Response - 45 Hz - 20 kHz +/- 3dB
Impedance - 4 ohms
Kind - 2-way
Power Rating 120 watts program, 200 watts peak
6.5-inch polypropylene low-frequency driver
1-inch pure silk-dome transducer

They are actually designed for monitoring in a recording studio setup and that is why I have them. They belonged to a friend of mine and he gave them to me when he bought a NAD amp and some B&Ws to monitor with.

The only thing that is ok with my current speakers is that they aren't "cubes". They are at least (very) cheap bookshelf speakers that seem to be able to handle the power coming from the receiver ok. I can turn my receiver up almost all the way (-10db) with cd's that aren't crushed and they seem to do ok. With movies I can safely watch at -15db without issue. They are sweating a bit but not to the point I feel they would crap out on me and I have long listening/movie watching sessions on my days off all the time.

As I have mentioned I am kind of taking a HUGE leap forward with building this system. The reason I thought I would start with the pre/pro and amp is because right now I only have dolby digital decoding. No dts and no HD decoding either. Plus I always hear that to get better sound you have to start with the source so it seemed like a logical chioce to me. I am fully aware that I will not be able to really "rock" this gear until I get new speakers as well, but I figured in the meantime I could at least feed the ones I have some good power.

With my current income I could not afford to buy a new pre/pro plus an amp and speakers at one time, although I would love to be able to.

[red_5ive]

Gotcha, but keep in mind though that you likely won't hear a difference with the htib center and surrounds even with upgraded gear. The Alesis are definitely an improvemnt, but I don't know enough about them to comment. I understand too that you have to do this in stages, we're all in that boat , but I just wanted to make sure that the performance gap was clear. Do keep us up to date as you progress with your upgrades.

[painted_klown]

Originally Posted by red_5ive

Gotcha, but keep in mind though that you likely won't hear a difference with the htib center and surrounds even with upgraded gear. The Alesis are definitely an improvemnt, but I don't know enough about them to comment. I understand too that you have to do this in stages, we're all in that boat , but I just wanted to make sure that the performance gap was clear. Do keep us up to date as you progress with your upgrades.

Yeah, I was figuring that would be the case. Even good clean power can't turn a crappy speaker into a good one.

Since I have pretty much settled on the Emotiva pre/pro and amp I have been looking at speakers just to kind of get a feel for what is out there at various price points. So far I am thinking perhaps:

Emotiva
B&W
Paradigm
Klipsch
Polk
Athena
Energy
Definitive Technologies
JBL
Aperion
JL Audio
Boston Acoustics

I haven't really spent a WHOLE lot of time on researching as of yet to be honest. I want to keep my mains under $1500.00/pr. if at all possible.
Getting into speakers is a WHOLE other topic though.

I am just going to get the Emotiva gear as planned and in the meantime start doing some serious homework in seeking out speakers.